Thanks everyone for all of your help and comments. It was a really fun project with a lot of lessons learned. Here are a couple "before and after" pictures to show the transformation.

What can I try next? Maybe a Ludwig School Festival? :)

-Tim

Hey, that sounds like a good idea! I had the same success doing an "Auditorium" model, and have some 6-ply shells that I eventually intend to do some "Coliseum" (SP) models... I might even try to tackle the "Slotted Coliseum" model... (see http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_snaredrums/1988_LUDWIG_SNARES7.jpg)

Bill

Wow, what a difference! Once again, great job.

It was destined for the trash heap... and now...it's not...

Excellent job.

Tim really nice job saving this one. It now has a whole new purpose. The repair looks pretty slick it's hard to tell unless you look for it. It's nice you were able to save the original wrap on it too. I think very few would even notice and really it's how they sound that's important. It's a win win to me~! Enjoy it. Glenn.

Hey Jeff,

Well I was afraid this would happen. The 1/8 inch groove that I filled from my mistake is starting to compress. Especially the area directly over one of the lugs since the hoop/head is tensioned. Any ideas on a way to re-fill the groove with something stronger?

I was thinking of scraping out the groove and using a different material. Something that will also soak/bleed into the surround wood for additional strength. I was also thinking of inserting/gluing a small steel shim in the groove and above the lug for additional strength. Then re-filling the rest of the groove.

I also read about using a mixture of epoxy and saw dust. It will be invisible after I sand and repaint the inside of the shell.

Thanks,

Tim

Ok, here's what I did.

[LIST]

[*]removed the patch from the outside of the shell

[*]scraped out the groove

[*]taped over the outside groove to keep new filler material in place

[*]taped the inside groove edges to reduce cleanup

[*]mixed up some 3,200psi epoxy :D

[*]added sawdust to the epoxy to make it the consistency of really thick oatmeal

[*]from the inside of the shell, I packed the mixture into the groove

[*]let it dry for 24hrs

[*]removed all of the tape and sanded down the inside portion of the shell

[*]used some light filler to smooth out the groove

[*]re-painted the inside shell

[*]re-installed the outside wrap patch

[/LIST]

This should keep it from compressing above the lug and it still sound like a Jazzfest. :)

- Tim

Tim, that sounds like a good plan. Epoxy is some serious strong stuff so I would think that will hold for ever.

will a 14 x 10 concert tom work as a jazzfest? the tom mount might be a problem..... lol (extra holes)

Sure, you could use a concert tom, but you'll just have to work around or plug the mount holes. You'll also have to cut a snare bed.

-Tim